Display update for a wireless display device

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of partial update for a wireless display device include providing an update information message identifying a location of the partial update and the changed image data. A display source identifies changes in image data stored in a frame buffer, generates an update information message to identify the location of the changed image data and to provide the changed image data. A display sink receives the update information message and merges the changed image data with image data stored in a local frame buffer.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Some embodiments pertain to wireless communications. Some embodimentspertain to a display update for a wireless display device.

BACKGROUND

Wireless capability allows a variety of devices to communicate with eachother adding to the mobility of users. A computing device, such as aPersonal Computer (PC), may be used with various peripherals which arenot wired together, but rather communicate using wirelesscommunications, such as Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) typeprotocols. As operations are performed by the PC, changes to informationfor display are sent to a wireless display device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a Wireless Area Network (WLAN) including a wirelessdisplay device, in accordance with example embodiments.

FIG. 2 illustrates, in block diagram format, a display device, inaccordance with example embodiments.

FIG. 3 illustrates, in block diagram format, a computing system having adisplay source and a display sink, in accordance with exampleembodiments.

FIG. 4 illustrates, in flow diagram format, a method for updating adisplay in a computing system, in accordance with example embodiments.

FIGS. 5-7 illustrate, in block diagram format, display update messages,in accordance with example embodiments.

FIG. 8 illustrates, in flow diagram format, a method for implementingupdates to a display device, in accordance with example embodiments.

FIG. 9 illustrates, in block diagram format, a computing system forimplementing updates to a display device, in accordance with exampleembodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description and the drawings sufficiently illustratespecific embodiments of the invention to enable those skilled in the artto practice them. Other embodiments may incorporate structural, logical,electrical, process, and other changes. Examples merely typify possiblevariations. Individual components and functions are optional unlessexplicitly required, and the sequence of operations may vary. Portionsand features of some embodiments may be included in, or substituted for,those of other embodiments. Embodiments of the invention set forth inthe claims encompass all available equivalents of those claims.Embodiments of the invention may be referred to herein, individually orcollectively, by the term “invention” merely for convenience and withoutintending to limit the scope of this application to any single inventionor inventive concept if more than one is in fact disclosed.

WLAN protocols and devices enable mobility and flexibility in computingsystems, where devices and components may be implemented using wirelesstechnology. For example, a PC may include a wireless processing unit, awireless keyboard, a wireless mouse, and a wireless display. The PC thensends wireless signals to a display or other unit, thus reducing thewired connections of a system. Wireless signals enable the flexibilityof the system, however, such systems often have specific Quality ofService (QoS) requirements.

In a wireless communication system using a 60 GHz, such as a WirelessPersonal Area Network (WPAN), which is a network for interconnectingdevices around an individual person's workspace using a wirelessprotocol, for example a Bluetooth protocol, as defined by the IEEE802.15, or the Wi-FI protocol, as defined by the IEEE 802.11.

A system using 60 GHz signaling enables multi-Gigabit wirelessapplications over short distances, for example a wireless dockingsystem. Wireless PC displays are typically constrained by QoSrequirements which specify minimum data rate and maximum delay. Althoughthe use of 60 GHz radio frequency signaling supports multi-Gigabit datarates, wireless displays typically share network resources with otherwireless devices and applications. Further challenges to implementationof a WPAN include congested deployment scenarios, such as office cubicleconfigurations and multiple WPANs in close proximity. Additionally, theuse of wireless communications adds to the power consumption of devicesand components of the WPAN. Design of such systems involves optimizingthe amount of data transmitted using the wireless communications.

In one example, a PC continuously reads video pixels from a frame bufferand transmits these pixels through an interface protocol to the displayunit. The interface protocol may be such as High-Definition MultimediaInterface (HDMI), and Mobile Industry Processor Interface (MIPI) DisplaySerial Interface (DSI), regardless of the content of the display data.In a system providing continuous frame buffer data, much of theinformation transmitted is redundant data, as PC display data has a highstatic content over regular use. In other words, much of the informationstored for display does not change from one frame to the next. Further,when the PC is idle, there is no need to transmit display data, as thedata to display is not changing. Therefore, the display unit may“self-refresh” by simply displaying the previous frame again. Similarly,there are times during PC operation when the display information doesnot change, such as when a user is typing, or using certain PCapplications. In these situations, a large portion of the screen displaymay be static, in contrast to video applications with fast contentchanges. By providing update information on changes to the displayinformation, some embodiments result in conservation of bandwidth andreduction in power consumption associated with wireless communications.One example sends update information indicating that portion of thedisplay image that is to change. This update information is referred toas a “partial update.” Rather than sending the complete pixelinformation, which may include a significant amount of redundantinformation, an example system sends update information to reducebandwidth and conserve transmit power.

FIG. 1 illustrates a WLAN including a wireless display device, inaccordance with example embodiments. The system 10 includes a wirelessrouter 80 in communication with several WPANs, including zone 40 andzone 42. Within Zone 40 a processing unit 60 communicates with a displaydevice 100. Both the processing unit 60 and the display device 100support wireless communications, and specifically enable a 60 GHz link.The zone 40 may also include any number of other devices, either wiredor wireless, including input device 70 and peripheral device 50. Thezone 42 includes device 90 and device 92, which also communicate withrouter 80.

FIG. 2 illustrates, in block diagram format, a display device 100, inaccordance with example embodiments. The display device 100 isillustrated after an update to the display image. At the time of theupdate, there was no change to a large portion of the display image. Thechanged portions of the display image include two areas, identified byblocks 102, 104, each including an updated display image. The otherportions of the display device 100 remain unchanged. To implement thechanged image portion, blocks 102, 104, the display device receives theupdate information and merges the new information with the unchangedportions.

FIG. 3 illustrates, in block diagram format, a computing system having adisplay source 200 and a display device 100, in accordance with exampleembodiments. The display source 200 includes a processor 202communicating with various modules via a communication bus 230. Thedisplay source 200 includes a display engine 210, a communication unit212 and memory 204. The display source 200 further includes an updateunit 208 to identify updates to the image data and provide such todisplay engine 210. The display data is stored in the frame buffer 206.

The update unit 208 identifies the changed portions in a current frameas compared to a previous frame. The changed portions may be identifiedby a shape or organization of information on the display, such as arectangle or square of information. The communication unit 212implements a protocol to enable communication between the display source200 and the display device 100. The protocol defines control messageformats to be used for partial updates from the update unit 208.

The display device 100 includes a communication unit 312 to receiveinformation from the display source 200, as well as from other wirelessdevices in a WPAN. Frame information is received and stored in the framebuffer 306, while the update unit 312 receives the update informationand applies to the display interface 302. The display is controlled by adisplay timing control 310.

The display device 100 may be any of a variety of displays, such as awidescreen Light Crystal Display (LCD) monitor. The update unit 212interfaces with the communication unit 312 at the display device 100.The update unit 212 interprets changes from the previous frame based onthe update information received from the display source 200. The updateunit 212 merges the changed blocks of display image received as updateinformation with the unchanged portions of the previous frame as storedin the frame buffer 306. The combination creates a current displayimage, which is then displayed under control of the display timingcontroller 310.

The partial display update information consists of the location and sizeof the changed rectangular regions/blocks of the display image, alongwith the new pixel information corresponding to these blocks. Thisinformation can be obtained in the following two ways:

The update information may be considered partial display updateinformation, and is obtained by way of a data and control communicationpath between frame buffer 206, which may be included as part of the mainmemory 204 or may be maintained separately, and the display engine 210.In one example, the display engine 210 contains display information overthree image planes. The image planes are blended together andtransmitted to the external display device 100. In wired communications,various protocols are available, including the display interface such asLow-Voltage Differential Signaling (LVDS) and others, wherein the imageplanes include a main plane, a cursor plane and an overlay plane. Themain plane includes information for displaying the background of thedisplay image. The cursor plane includes information for implementingresponses to hardware control, such as cursor control, on the displayimage. The overlay plane includes media data, such as videoapplications, for display, such as Media Player data running on a PC.

In one embodiment, a display engine 210 continuously reads video pixelsfrom frame buffer 206 and transmits the retrieved video pixels through acommunication unit 212 using a wireless interface protocol. The videopixels may be stored in the frame buffer 206 as part of a complete videoproduct, such as a movie, or video components that are displayed as partof a software application processed by processor 202.

In operation, the display source 200 the display engine 210 retrievesdata from the frame buffer 206. In one embodiment, the display data isstored in the frame buffer 206, including the three image planes. Insome embodiments the update unit 208 intercepts the data from the framebuffer 206 prior to provision by the display engine 210 to send theinformation to the display device 100. The update unit 208 identifiesupdate information corresponding to changed portions of the display andorganizes the update information according to changed blocks of thedisplay image. The update information, which is a portion of the displayinformation, is then sent to the communication unit 212, which mayinclude multiple communication layers, such as Protocol Adaptation Layer(PAL) that wraps the information with the PAL headers for transmission.The communication unit 212 then transmits the data to the displaydevice, such as through a 60 GHz radio link.

In one embodiment, the update unit 208 calculates a difference between acurrent display frame and a previous display frame stored in the framebuffer 204, and selectively sends this information to the display device100. In one embodiment, the update unit 208 uses a threshold to compareframes of display data. Each frame of display data is stored in theframe buffer and may be received from external to the display source200, such as a streaming video or Digital Video Disc (DVD), or may beretrieved from information stored within memory 204.

FIG. 4 illustrates, in flow diagram format, a method for updating adisplay in a computing system, in accordance with example embodiments.The processing of the display source 200 is illustrated in the method250, which involves activities to obtain 252 current display imageinformation. The current display information is for a current or nextframe for display. The display source 200 then determines 254 if thedisplay image has changed. The display source 200 compares the currentdisplay frame to a previous display frame to identify differences. Whenthere are no differences, and the display frame remains the same,portions of the display source 200 or display device 100 may enter adormant mode for energy conservation. When the current frame isdifferent from the previous frame, the method 250 includes activities todetermine 256 the update blocks. In one embodiment, the update unit 212determines the location and size of the block to describe a portion ofthe display frame, wherein the size of the block may vary. In someembodiments, the size of the block is fixed, wherein the display imageincludes a predetermined number of blocks at predetermined locations.The display source 200 then sends 258 the partial display image updateinformation to the display device 100. By checking 262 for an update,the display source 200 either enters 260 (or remains in) a dormant mode,or obtains 252 the current display image information.

FIGS. 5-7 illustrate, in block diagram format, display update messages,in accordance with example embodiments. The partial display updateinformation includes information identifying a location of the changedinformation, or update information, and the corresponding updateinformation. The location may be identified by a position, such ascoordinates of a location on the screen, and a size of changedrectangular regions, referred to as a block, of the display screen. Theupdate information may be new pixel information for an image displaycorresponding to the identified block(s). The update information may beany of a variety of formats which allow provision of information topresent the display image on the display screen. The locationinformation may identify a changed region having a shape other than arectangular shape, such as octagonal or overlapping spheres, and soforth.

The partial display update information, both the location informationand the update data can be obtained a variety of ways. In a firstmethod, partial display update information is obtained from thedata/control path between the frame buffer 206 of FIG. 2 and the displayengine 210. The display information includes information taken overthree image planes blended together and then transmitted to the externaldisplay device 100. The three (3) planes include a main plane with thefull background screen information, a cursor plane with the hardwarecursor information, and an overlay plane in case of natural videoapplications such as Media Player running on the PC. The method includesactivities including to intercept the display data from the frame buffer206 in the main memory 204 to the display engine 210; and further toglean the information related to the partial update display and changedblock(s) via a update unit 208. At least some of the functions of theupdate unit 208 may be similar to a display driver, and may beimplemented in computer-readable instructions, such as a softwareimplementation coordinated with display related programs. The updateunit 208 detects the partial update information. The partial displayupdate information is provided to the communication unit 212, which inone example applies a PAL type header and transmit it to the displaydevice 100 through a 60 GHz radio link.

In a second method, partial update detection is implemented at theoutput port or a display source, such as display source 200 of FIG. 2.An update unit 208 calculates a difference between a current displayimage and the previous display image. The display image corresponds to adisplay frame, such as the frame data stored in a frame buffer 206. Theupdate unit 208 selectively sends the display difference information tothe display sink, such as display device 100. The display differenceinformation is sent via Wi-Fi connection, such as using a 60 GHz radiosignal. While the first method provides a quicker solution for updatingthe display image(s), the latter method introduces a minimal change in aPersonal Computer (PC), graphics hardware or other hardwarearchitecture.

FIG. 5 illustrates a message format for providing display updateinformation from the display source 200 to the display device 100. Themessage format 500 includes a plurality of fields, including a number ofblocks field 502, which identifies the number of blocks for which updateinformation is provided for the current frame of display data. Themessage format 500 includes a first set of block location identifiers504 and a second set of block update data 506. The block locationidentifiers 504 include at least one field to identify a location fordisplay of a block of update data. In one embodiment, the block locationidentifier 504 comprises one field identifying a specific location onthe display. Such as where the display screen is divided into aplurality of squares or rectangles, each having a unique identifier. Insuch embodiment, the block location identifier 504 is used to store theunique identifier. In some examples, the block location identifierincludes multiple fields, such as illustrated in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7,described herein.

Each block location identifier 504 includes an index to correlate theblock location identifier 504 with data for stored in block data 506having the same index value. For example, consider a block locationidentifier 504 having an index value N corresponds to block data 506having the same index value. In other words, data stored in block data506 having the index value N describes the display data for the locationidentified by block location identifier 506 having index value N.

The block update data 506 includes at least one field to provide thecurrent data or update data for the corresponding block location. Themessage format 500 may be provided according to an interface protocol,such as a High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) protocol. In oneexample, the value stored in block data 506 stores the current data fordisplay. In some embodiments, the value stored in block data 506 storesa delta value to provide an incremental change in the data to bedisplayed.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, the block location identifiers 504 implement ascheme using four (4) points to identify the location of a block. Theblock location identifiers 504 are provided in a format 600, whichincludes a block left field 602, a block right field 604, a block topfield 606 and a block bottom field 608. Each of the fields of format 600has an index value correlating to the block data for the block.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example of a format 700 for a block locationidentifier 504, which uses coordinates of the location of a block on thedisplay screen. A block X field 702 and a block Y field 704 correspondto x-y coordinate measurements. The coordinate measurements allowidentification of a first position on the display screen. Further, blockwidth field 706 and block height field 708 then define the size andshape of the block.

Using some of the methods described herein or other example embodimentsfor identifying a location, size and shape of the block, which maychange dynamically over time, or in response to historical data. Forexample, it may be desirable to rotate or change the display portion ofthe screen. Similarly, the shapes may overlap.

In one embodiment, information for an audio or video may be an optionalfeature, wherein the device source 200 is able to provide continuousframe data and is further able to provide the updated information. Insome situations, where display images change quickly, the displayinformation is provided continuously, as only a small portion of thedisplay image remains the same. In other situations, where display imagechanges are sporadic, the device source implements the updatetechniques. A device supporting partial updates of display image dataindicates such capability during a discovery phase in 60 GHz WPANs. Thepartial update capability may be broadcast to devices within the WPAN.

FIG. 8 illustrates, in flow diagram format, a method for implementingupdates to a display device, in accordance with example embodiments. Themethod includes activities to determine 802 if partial updateinformation has been received. When there is partial update information,processing continues to merge 804 partial update information into thedisplay data. The display device then displays 808 the updatedinformation. If there is no partial update information, the moduleswithin the display source and display device may enter a dormant mode orother low power mode, as there are no changes to implement. Processingthen returns to await a next partial update.

FIG. 9 illustrates, in block diagram format, a computing system forimplementing updates to a display device, in accordance with exampleembodiments. The computing system 900 implements a partial displayupdate process, in accordance with example embodiments. The computingsystem 900 includes a receiver 904, a transmitter 906, an antenna 902and memory storage 908. The receiver 904 and transmitter 906 may be asingle transceiver unit for wireless communication. The computing system900 further includes a registration engine 912 enabling the computingsystem 900 to implement a partial display update process according tosome embodiments. A display engine 914 enables operation for controllingdisplay including extraction of partial update information, as well as acontroller 916 provides control and enables operations within thecomputing system 300. A communication bus 912 enables communications forthe various modules of the computing system 900.

In some embodiments, receiver 904 may be configured to receiveOrthogonal Frequency-Division Multiplex (OFDM) communication signalsover a multicarrier communication channel. The OFDM signals may comprisea plurality of orthogonal subcarriers. In some of these multicarrierembodiments, receiver 904 may be part of a Wireless Local Area Networks(WLANs) communication station such as a Wireless Access Point (WAP),base station or a mobile device including a Wireless-Fidelity (Wi-Fi)device. In some broadband multicarrier embodiments, a base station maybe part of a Broadband Wireless Access (BWA) network communicationstation, such as a Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access(WiMAX) communication station. In some other broadband multicarrierembodiments, base stations and other network devices may be a 3rdGeneration Partnership Project (3GPP), Universal Terrestrial RadioAccess Network (UTRAN), or a Long-Term-Evolution (LTE) communicationstation, although the scope of the invention is not limited in thisrespect. In these broadband multicarrier embodiments, base stations andmobile stations may be configured to communicate in accordance with anOFDM Access (OFDMA) technique.

In some embodiments, receiver 304 may be configured to receive signalsin accordance with specific communication standards, such as theInstitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) standardsincluding IEEE 802.11-2007 and/or 802.11(n) standards and/or proposedspecifications for WLANs, although the scope of the invention is notlimited in this respect as they may also be suitable to transmit and/orreceive communications in accordance with other techniques andstandards. In some embodiments, receiver 304 may be configured toreceive signals in accordance with the IEEE 802.16-2004 and the IEEE802.16(e) standards for Wireless Metropolitan Area Networks (WMANs),including variations and evolutions thereof, although the scope of theinvention is not limited in this respect as they may also be suitable totransmit and/or receive communications in accordance with othertechniques and standards. In some embodiments, receiver 304 may beconfigured to receive signals in accordance with the UTRAN LTEcommunication standards. For more information with respect to the IEEE802.11 and IEEE 802.16 standards, please refer to “IEEE Standards forInformation Technology—Telecommunications and Information Exchangebetween Systems”—Local Area Networks—Specific Requirements—Part 11“Wireless LAN Medium Access Control (MAC) and Physical Layer (PHY),ISO/IEC 8802-11: 1999”, and Metropolitan Area Networks—SpecificRequirements—Part 16: “Air Interface for Fixed Broadband Wireless AccessSystems,” May 2005 and related amendments/versions. For more informationwith respect to UTRAN LTE standards, see the 3rd Generation PartnershipProject (3GPP) standards for UTRAN-LTE, release 8, March 2008, includingvariations and evolutions thereof.

In some other embodiments, receiver 304 may be configured to receivesignals that were transmitted using one or more other modulationtechniques such as spread spectrum modulation (e.g., Direct SequenceCode Division-Multiple Access (DS-CDMA) and/or Frequency Hopping CodeDivision-Multiple Access (FH-CDMA)), Time Division-Multiplexing (TDM)modulation, and/or Frequency Division-Multiplexing (FDM) modulation,although the scope of the embodiments is not limited in this respect.

In some embodiments, receiver 304 may be part of a portable wirelesscommunication device, such as a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), alaptop or portable computer with wireless communication capability, aweb tablet, a wireless telephone, a wireless headset, a pager, aninstant messaging device, a digital camera, an access point, atelevision, a medical device (e.g., a heart rate monitor, a bloodpressure monitor, etc.), or other device that may receive and/ortransmit information wire lessly.

Antenna 902 may comprise one or more directional or omni-directionalantennas, including, for example, dipole antennas, monopole antennas,patch antennas, loop antennas, micro-strip antennas or other types ofantennas suitable for transmission of RF signals. In some embodiments,instead of two or more antennas, a single antenna with multipleapertures may be used. In these embodiments, each aperture may beconsidered a separate antenna. In some Multiple Input Multiple Output(MIMO) embodiments, antenna 304 may be effectively separated to takeadvantage of spatial diversity and the different channel characteristicsthat may result between each of antenna 304 and the antennas of atransmitting station. In some MIMO embodiments, antenna 304 may beseparated by up to 1/10 of a wavelength or more.

Unless specifically stated otherwise, terms such as processing,computing, calculating, determining, displaying, or the like, may referto an action and/or process of one or more processing or computingsystems or similar devices that may manipulate and transform datarepresented as physical (e.g., electronic) quantities within aprocessing system's registers and memory into other data similarlyrepresented as physical quantities within the processing system'sregisters or memories, or other such information storage, transmissionor display devices. Furthermore, as used herein, a computing deviceincludes one or more processing elements coupled with computer-readablememory that may be volatile or non-volatile memory or a combinationthereof.

Embodiments of the invention may be implemented in one or a combinationof hardware, firmware, and software. Embodiments of the invention mayalso be implemented as instructions stored on a machine-readable medium,which may be read and executed by at least one processor to perform theoperations described herein. A machine-readable medium may include anymechanism for storing or transmitting information in a form readable bya machine (e.g., a computer). A machine-readable medium may include, butis not limited to, FLASH memory, optical disks, Compact Disks-Read OnlyMemory (CD-ROM), Digital Versatile/Video Disks (DVD), Read Only Memory(ROM), Random Access Memory (RAM), Erasable Programmable Read-OnlyMemory (EPROM), Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory(EEPROM), magnetic or optical cards, propagation media or other type ofmachine-readable media suitable for storing electronic instructions. Forexample, embodiments of the invention may be downloaded as a computerprogram which may be transferred from a remote computer (e.g., a server)to a requesting computer (e.g., a client) by way of data signalsembodied in a carrier wave or other propagation medium via acommunication link (e.g., a modem or network connection).

It should be appreciated that reference throughout this specification to“one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature,structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodimentis included in at least one embodiment of the present invention.Therefore, it should be appreciated that two or more references to “anembodiment” or “one embodiment” or “an alternative embodiment” invarious portions of this specification are not necessarily all referringto the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structuresor characteristics may be combined as suitable in one or moreembodiments of the invention.

Similarly, it should be appreciated that in the foregoing description ofembodiments of the invention, various features are sometimes groupedtogether in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for thepurpose of streamlining the disclosure aiding in the understanding ofone or more of the various inventive aspects. This method of disclosure,however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that theclaimed subject matter requires more features than are expressly recitedin each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventiveaspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosedembodiment. Thus, the claims following the detailed description arehereby expressly incorporated into this detailed description, with eachclaim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of this invention.

In one embodiment, a method is performed by a processor device to updatea display device and includes detecting an image change to a block of animage for display on a display device, the display device supportingwireless communications, generating a partial update message based ondetection of the image change for the block, and transmitting thepartial update message to the display device as a wireless signal. Themethod further includes generating the partial update message bydetermining a location of the block with respect to a display surface ofthe display device, retrieving update data associated with the imagechange to the block, and building the partial update message to includethe location of the block and the update data. The partial updatemessage may include a number of blocks field to identify a number ofblocks in a plurality of blocks, and at least one block locationidentifier for each of the plurality of blocks. Each of the at least oneblock location identifier identifies a unique location on the displaysurface of the display device. Each of the at least one block locationidentifier includes coordinates on the display surface of the displaydevice. The method further including entering a dormant mode when nopartial update information is detected. The wireless communicationnetwork supports a Wi-Fi communication protocol.

In some embodiments, a method for updating a display device includesstoring display information for an image to display on a display device,the display device supporting wireless communications, receiving apartial update message as a wireless communication, retrieving partialupdate information from the partial update message, the partial updateinformation describing an update to the image to display on the displaydevice, merging the partial update information with the stored displayinformation to generate merged information, and displaying the mergedinformation on a display screen of the display device to display thepartial update information. The method further includes initiating atimer in response to receipt of each partial update message, the timerhaving an expiration period, and transitioning the display device to adormant mode on expiration of the expiration period. The wirelesscommunications may support a Wi-Fi communication protocol.

In some embodiments, an apparatus, includes a memory storage unit,having a main memory unit and a frame buffer. The frame buffer storingimage data for display on a display device. The apparatus furtherincluding a display engine to retrieve image data from the frame bufferand to identify a change in at least one frame of the image data. Theapparatus also including an update unit to generate update informationbased on the change in the at least one frame of the image data; and awireless communication unit to transmit the update information to adisplay device using a wireless communication protocol.

The apparatus may support a wireless communication protocol for Wi-Ficommunications. The update unit may be adapted to determine at least onedisplay location for the change in the at least one frame of the imagedata, the at least one display location identifying at least one blockon a display screen. The change includes changes to a plurality offrames of the image data, and wherein the update unit is further todetermine a number of blocks corresponding to the plurality of frames.The update information includes the number of blocks, and for eachblock, the update information includes a block location identifier andcorresponding change in image data.

In one example, a display apparatus comprises a memory storage unit,comprising a main memory unit and a frame buffer, the frame buffer tostore image data for display on a display screen, a communication unitto receive update information over a wireless communication channel, theupdate information identifying a change in at least one frame of theimage data, an update unit to merge the update information with imagedata stored in the frame buffer and generate merged information, adisplay timing controller to control display of the merged informationon the display screen, and a display interface to present the mergedinformation to the display screen. The update information includes ablock location identifier corresponding to a first block of the imagedata including a first change in the at least one frame of the imagedata. The display apparatus having an update unit to merge the updateinformation by replacing data stored in the frame buffer for the firstblock with the update information identifying the first change, whereinthe block location identifier identifies a location on a display screenfor display of the image data and wherein the block location identifierincludes coordinates on the display screen.

Having disclosed embodiments and the best mode, modifications andvariations may be made to the disclosed embodiments while remainingwithin the scope of the embodiments as defined by the following claims.

The Abstract is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. Section 1.72(b)requiring an abstract that will allow the reader to ascertain the natureand gist of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with theunderstanding that it will not be used to limit or interpret the scopeor meaning of the claims. The following claims are hereby incorporatedinto the detailed description, with each claim standing on its own as aseparate embodiment.

1. A method performed by a processor device to update a display device,the method comprising: detecting an image change to a block of an imagefor display on a display device, the display device supporting wirelesscommunications; generating a partial update message based on detectionof the image change for the block; and transmitting the partial updatemessage to the display device as a wireless signal.
 2. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising: generating the partial update message by:determining a location of the block with respect to a display surface ofthe display device; retrieving update data associated with the imagechange to the block; and building the partial update message to includethe location of the block and the update data.
 3. The method of claim 2,wherein the partial update message includes a number of blocks field toidentify a number of blocks in a plurality of blocks, and at least oneblock location identifier for each of the plurality of blocks.
 4. Themethod of claim 3, wherein each of the at least one block locationidentifier identifies a unique location on the display surface of thedisplay device.
 5. The method of claim 3, wherein each of the at leastone block location identifier includes coordinates on the displaysurface of the display device.
 6. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: entering a dormant mode when no partial update informationis detected.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the wirelesscommunication network supports a Wi-Fi communication protocol.
 8. Amethod for updating a display device comprising: storing displayinformation for an image to display on a display device, the displaydevice supporting wireless communications; receiving a partial updatemessage as a wireless communication; retrieving partial updateinformation from the partial update message, the partial updateinformation describing an update to the image to display on the displaydevice; merging the partial update information with the stored displayinformation to generate merged information; and displaying the mergedinformation on a display screen of the display device to display thepartial update information.
 9. The method as in claim 8, furthercomprising: initiating a timer in response to receipt of each partialupdate message, the timer having an expiration period; and transitioningthe display device to a dormant mode on expiration of the expirationperiod.
 10. The method as in claim 9, wherein the wirelesscommunications support a Wi-Fi communication protocol.
 11. An apparatus,comprising: a memory storage unit, comprising a main memory unit and aframe buffer, the frame buffer storing image data for display on adisplay device; a display engine to: retrieve image data from the framebuffer, identify a change in at least one frame of the image data, anupdate unit to generate update information based on the change in the atleast one frame of the image data; and a wireless communication unit totransmit the update information to a display device using a wirelesscommunication protocol.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein theapparatus supports a wireless communication protocol for Wi-Ficommunications.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the update unitis further to determine at least one display location for the change inthe at least one frame of the image data, the at least one displaylocation identifying at least one block on a display screen.
 14. Theapparatus of claim 13, wherein the change includes changes to aplurality of frames of the image data, and wherein the update unit isfurther to determine a number of blocks corresponding to the pluralityof frames.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the update informationincludes the number of blocks, and for each block, the updateinformation includes a block location identifier and correspondingchange in image data.
 16. A display apparatus, comprising: a memorystorage unit, comprising a main memory unit and a frame buffer, theframe buffer to store image data for display on a display screen; acommunication unit to receive update information over a wirelesscommunication channel, the update information identifying a change in atleast one frame of the image data; an update unit to merge the updateinformation with image data stored in the frame buffer and generatemerged information; a display timing controller to control display ofthe merged information on the display screen; and a display interface topresent the merged information to the display screen.
 17. The displayapparatus as in claim 16, wherein the update information includes ablock location identifier corresponding to a first block of the imagedata including a first change in the at least one frame of the imagedata.
 18. The display apparatus as in claim 17, wherein the update unitis further to merge the update information by replacing data stored inthe frame buffer for the first block with the update informationidentifying the first change.
 19. The apparatus as in claim 17, andwherein the block location identifier identifies a location on a displayscreen for display of the image data.
 20. The method of claim 19,wherein the block location identifier includes coordinates on thedisplay screen.